Microsoft has released for public download the second Beta of the next version of their Internet browser. I have downloaded and installed the Beta 2 of IE7 (Internet Explorer 7) and so far I like the experience very much.

Killer Feature: Quick tabs, thumb nail view of the tabs that you have open.

If you have used Firefox, the experience will be immediately familiar. Set up was easy, configuration was intuitive. The tabs look the way I have my tabs set in Firefox (I use Tab Mix Plus) and useage was familiar. IE 7 install also optionally runs the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool at installation,which was a nice touch, I thought.

I configured the search box immediately, choosing Google over MSN Seach without problem.

Memory usage still seems higher than for Firefox. IE7 with two tabs open: 67 Mb. Firefox 1.5.0.1 with the same two tabs: 47 Mb. If anyone gets different results, I would like to see them.

As mentioned before, security is GREATLY improved. Tools> Manage Add Ons lets you see what is running and gives you the option of Enabling/Disabling an Add On or deleting it all together. There are also built-in links for a number of Add Ons, including security ones, at http://windowsmarketplace.com/content.aspx?ctId=63 You can get Pop Up blockers, anti-Spyware programs, etc.

The interface is way cleaner, although you can easily go back the IE6 "classic" look if you want. See Link

IE7 is obviously intended to go head to head with Mozilla's Firefox. In my not-so-humble opinion, it is competitive. It doesn't blow Firefox away, but it is much better than IE6.

So far no problems with any skins I have tried, both transparent i.e. Vista skins and non transparent, I have Thallos 1. converted to WB on at the moment, no problems, i realy do quite like it, it's free, and it can only get better. Jim

I couldn't use it because it killed McAfee, but for it's own sake, it seemed pretty good. Nice, clean, intuitive UI, seemed much quicker than IE6 and on a par with Firefox. I'm sure that they'll work out the compatibility bugs, and when they do, it will give Firefox a run for the money with me.

This should be kept in mind when comparing memory usage also! Since the exe was probably built with at least partial debugging left turned on it is probably using more memory than a fully optimized final build will.. Just a thought!

I didn't have quiet as nice experience with it. I couldn't for some reason install additional search engines (I click the link and nothing happens), and toolbar customize also didn't work (I realize it's beta but it's still annoying). I did try it for a few days - it's definitely light years ahead of IE6 and there were couple of things there that I think they did a bit better than FF (although in both cases it is easily rectifiable with extensions). Overall, it didn't offer anything better than FireFox, and unless the folks at Microsoft have an ace up their sleeve, the final version isn't gonna change that. So until IE is actually better than, as oppose to "on par with" or "almost as good as" FF I'm sticking with FireFox.

"But browser testers may already be at risk, according to security researcher Tom Ferris. Late Tuesday, Ferris released details of a potential security flaw in IE 7. An attacker could exploit the flaw by crafting a special Web page that could be used to crash the browser or gain complete control of a vulnerable system, Ferris said in an advisory on his Web site.

Microsoft confirmed the security flaw and said it crashes IE, but is not exploitable by default to commandeer a PC, a company representative said on the IE team blog late Wednesday. The bug is scheduled to be fixed before the next public IE 7 release and was actually already found in Microsoft's own code review and analysis, the representative wrote. A Microsoft spokeswoman confirmed the authenticity of the blog post. "

You said the interface is highly configurable? How so? Aside from the ability decide which of the "menu" items on the tab bar to show, and a couple minor things like the go button, it seems less configurable.
Also I couldn't find anywhere how to make a "thumbnail" view of tabs that are open.

I think though overall it is an improvement long overdue, though I like firefox too much to switch back.